Leviticus 16: Seven Reasons Why Yom Kippur Is Relevant to Christians Today

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Introduction: Recognizing the Shadow of Christ in God’s Seven Holy Days. God’s holy days revealed the “shadows” of Christ (Col. 2:17). The “holy convocations” or “miqras” can also be translated as “rehearsals.” (Lev. 23:2). With the first four holy days, the Jews unknowingly rehearsed for the Messiah’s arrival. With the last three days, we rehearse for His return.

(1) Passover. Christ was the Passover lamb who died for us to allow judgment to “pass over” us (Isa. 53:7; Jo. 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). This day (“Good Friday”) is a day to stop and remember the terrible sacrifice that Christ paid for you so that death would pass you over.

(2) The Feast of Unleavened Bread. During this feast, Jesus was in the grave. Through Christ, we are freed from our sins, the “leaven” in our lives (1 Cor. 5:7; 6:13-20). This is the day to flee from the sins of your old lives the same way that the Jews fled from theirs in Egypt.

(3) The Feast of First Fruits. On this day (“Resurrection Sunday”), Jesus also rose from the grave and became the “first fruits” of those who were once dead (1 Cor. 15:20). This is a day to give thanks to Him and offer the first fruits of your life to Him (Ro. 12:1).

(4) The Feast of Weeks. On this day, God revealed His will for us by pouring out the Holy Spirit unto His believers (“Pentecost”) (Acts 2:3). This is a day to give thanks for the Holy Spirit and to discern God’s will for you through reading the Word and through prayer.

(5) Rosh HaShanah. Rosh HaShanah is God’s New Years’ Day. It is celebrated by the blowing of trumpets (Lev. 23:24-25). Rosh HaShanah was celebrated over two days because no one knew the exact date that it began. Some believe that this foreshadows the Rapture, the next event on the Christian calendar. Like Rosh HaShanah, the rapture will be preceded by the blowing of a loud trumpet (Matt. 24:31; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Yet, no one knows the exact day or hour of His return (Matt. 24:36; Mk. 13:32). This is a day to renew yourself, make your vows to God for the year to come, to study the law, and to meditate about the Messiah’s return. Yet, we should live every day being ready for His return.

(6) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is the day of atonement for sin (Lev. 23:26-32). It was a somber time for repentance and prayer for the sins of the nation. Those who failed to repent would face God’s judgment. This foreshadows the day of wrath when the Messiah will come to judge the nations (Joel 2:1; Rev. 8-9). This is a day to repent of your sins, give thanks for what Christ did for you, and to pray for the nations to repent.

(7) Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. Sukkot was the last of God’s holy days. It was the most joyful of all. It celebrates when God came to dwell or “tabernacle” amongst us. It also foreshadowed both when Christ dwelled with us and when He will again “tabernacle” with us during His 1,000-year reign on Earth. This Feast celebrates God. It is a “perpetual statute throughout your generation. . . ” (Lev. 23:41). If you celebrate it, “your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands. . .” (Dt. 16:15).

The seven lessons from Yom Kippur for Christians today. Once you understand that God’s seven holy days all foreshadow Christ, believers can find seven important lessons from the details regarding how God commanded the Jews to observe Yom Kippur. First, while the Jews could only approach God through their High Priest in the throne room on Yom Kippur, Christ’s death has given you direct access to God every day. Second, from the example of the High Priest, God instructs that Christians repent of their sins before they petition God in prayer. Third, through the example of the High Priest and God’s instruction that every believer is part of God’s “holy priesthood”, every believer is charged with the duty to pray for the nation. Fourth, from the example of the High Priests, He instructs believers to pray for forgiveness for the sins of the Church and for its purity. Fifth, from the comparison of the “scapegoat” used by the Jews to Christ, believers learn that their sins are not just forgiven, they are forgotten. Sixth, from the example of the High Priest, God instructs believers to stay “sanctified” or set apart for His use by constantly cleansing themselves from the sins of the world. Finally, from the freedom Christ has given us to petition God daily, believers are charged to pray for the nation on a frequent if not daily basis. At a minimum, Yom Kippur is an opportunity to for the united Church to come together out of devotion and not obligation to pray and fast as a body for the sins of the nation.

1. In Jesus’ Name, You Can Approach God with Boldness. Lev. 16:1-4, 17-18.

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2. Repent of Your Sins so that Your Prayers Will Not be “Hindered.” Lev. 16:5-6.

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3. It Is Every Believer’s Duty to Intercede Through Prayer for the Nation. Lev. 16:7-15.

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4. Pray also for the Cleansing and Purity of the Church. Lev. 16:16-19.

5. Yours Sins are not Only Forgiven, they Are Forgotten. Lev. 16:20-22.

6. Sanctification: A Priest Must Continually Cleanse from the World’s Sins. Lev. 16:23-28.

7. Make the Day of Atonement a Daily Event. Lev. 16:29-34.

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